Policy & Regulations

This channel includes news coverage of healthcare policy and regulations set by Congress, the states, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and medical associations and societies.

AI newswatch: Lifecyle AI oversight, data matters, AI vs. animals, more
AI may finally end the paper chase caused by prior authorization. Or it may worsen it.
Leaked HHS budget reveals 30% cuts, elimination of many core services
A proposal for the massive restructuring of the Department of Health and Human Services ends funding to programs associated with chronic disease management, lead safety, and Head Start. However, HHS is adding a new department to focus on understanding the cause of long-term illness.
Cardiologist-founded startup announces FDA clearance, first uses of new TAVR pacing system
“The device takes variability out of the procedure by giving the operator full control while automating ramp-up and back-up algorithms," according to a clinician who used the new technology. "The TAVR procedure is simplified, reducing physician and staff workload."
AI has come a long way in healthcare, still has a long way to go: Research recap
As AI continues its march through healthcare organizations around the world, the notion that it will replace the sector’s human workers fades but does not disappear.
UnitedHealth, Amedisys enter mediation with DOJ over block on $3.3B merger
The two companies have been unable to assuage antitrust concerns raised by the Department of Justice. A magistrate will attempt to hammer out acceptable terms for the home healthcare merger at a conference scheduled for August.

Ron Blankstein, MD, FACC, FASNC, MSCCT, FASPC, associate director, cardiovascular imaging program, director, cardiac computed tomography, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and a professor of medicine and radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains why Medicare is proposing increased coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) payments to hospitals.

Higher payments for CCTA could bring considerable change to cardiology

Ron Blankstein, MD, explains how and why Medicare is proposing an increase to hospital payments for coronary CT angiography.

Reduce, reuse, recycle: How cath labs can lower cardiology’s colossal carbon footprint

Cath labs, like radiology suites and operating rooms, are leading contributors to the world’s growing carbon footprint.

FDA approves hydrogel to stop severe, life-threatening bleeding

Traumagel is applied to wounds using a syringe and can be used even on traumatic injuries, such as those from gunshots.

technologist MRI rad tech radiologic radiology

Rad tech advocates submit 42,000 comments to feds in push to gain ‘professional’ status

Every 10 years, the Office of Management and Budget reclassifies jobs as either “technical” or “professional,” with the window now open.

Bharath Krishnamurthy, a director of Health Policy and Analytics at the American Hospital Association (AHA), explains explains how drug shortages and supply chain issues are negatively impacting U.S. healthcare.

Drug shortages jeopardize patient access to quality hospital care

American Hospital Association Director of Health Policy and Analytics Bharath Krishnamurthy explains how drug shortages and supply chain issues are negatively impacting U.S. healthcare.

White House unveils lower prices for popular heart, diabetes drugs after Medicare negotiations

Apixaban, empagliflozin, rivaroxaban and sacubitril/valsartan are just some of the medications included in this initial round of Medicare price negotiations. Their new prices were reduced by 56%, 66%, 62% and 53%, respectively.

Medicare Money dollar payment reimbursement

Medicare negotiates lower price for 10 vital drugs, saving seniors $1.5B

The move will save the Medicare $6 billion in just one year, an announcement from the Biden administration said.

Impella Heart Pump Abiomed RECOVER IV RCT cardiogenic shock

Crisis averted: Recalled heart pumps found after being sent to customers by mistake

The FDA warned that the devices failed a safety inspection, but were still distributed for patient use. They have now all been located.

Policy & Regulations

AI newswatch: Lifecyle AI oversight, data matters, AI vs. animals, more

Leaked HHS budget reveals 30% cuts, elimination of many core services

Cardiologist-founded startup announces FDA clearance, first uses of new TAVR pacing system

AI has come a long way in healthcare, still has a long way to go: Research recap

UnitedHealth, Amedisys enter mediation with DOJ over block on $3.3B merger